Michael McAleer answers your queries.
From M Armstrong, Cavan:
I import used vehicles from Japan and, when they are sold, I put them through the National Car Test (NCT). However, the NCT organisers only give a test certificate from the vehicles "birthday". So, in real terms, it may only be valid for only 3 or 4 months.
This can be very difficult to explain to customers and it leaves a bad taste. I first remonstrated at the test centre, then to "Customer Care", and finally by letter . . . all to no avail.
I said it was dishonest, and accused them of sharp practice . . . also to no avail. My customers and I feel very aggrieved.
According to the NCT, the rules are a result of the Road Traffic Act 2003 under which they operate and any changes would have to be introduced by the Government. According to a spokeswoman, the NCT due date is calculated by reference to the date of first registration of the car with tests due every two years after the first test due date.
Therefore, the NCT certificate will expire two years after the registration anniversary, regardless of when you take the NCT.
For imported cars, it would certainly seem more appropriate to have them complete an NCT upon arrival in the country rather than some registration anniversary date.
From Patricia Flanagan:
May I draw your attention to an anomaly in our traffic laws. I was recently involved in an accident which brought to my attention the absurdity of a law which bans 16-year-olds from driving a car (limiting them to 125cc moped) but gives them carte blanche to drive any massive tractor, with trailer or wide load attached, day or night, at whatever speed the road permits.
Tractors are no longer slow moving vehicles. I wonder if the European Transport Committee, which is putting forward new rules on licences for moped users, has any plans for revision of this absurd contradiction?
As important as it may be for the economy to allow young farmers to use the machinery on the land and keep our agricultural sector ticking over, it would seem a serious anomaly, given the increased traffic on our roads these days, to allow such large machines to be driven by 16-year-olds without any sort of initial test.
It merely goes to highlight the mess our testing system is in. If we are to really save lives on our roads, the entire system needs to be revised and the tests updated to include motorway driving. Compulsory basic training needs to be put in place for all new road users - including our young farmers.
Perhaps in the future we need a system which would retest all drivers after 10 or 15 years on the road.
From Dr J McKeown, Co Louth:
I'm thinking of buying a medium-sized saloon such as a Ford Mondeo or a Toyota Avensis, but I'm not particularly fussy about the brand. What I would really like to know is - if one was going for automatic gears and leather upholstery, which of these makes would be the best in this respect.
My other option would be to buy an entry-level BMW or Mercedes. My upper limit would be about €40,000.
The good news is that €40,000 will get you a very good medium-sized saloon with both of your required features. If marque is not important but automatic transmission and leather trim is, then we can probably rule out the entry level versions of the likes of the BMW or Mercedes.
So let's work our way through the choices. First we have the Ford Mondeo. You could pick up a 2-litre Ghia for about €38,200. Similarly you could buy a Toyota Avensis or a Peugeot 407 with similar accoutrements.
However, your inquiry is well-timed in that we are just back from testing the new VW Passat. If spaciousness and comfort is what you desire then it would seem to be the one to opt for. It also comes with a good quality leather trim.
Finally, the 2-litre diesel versions come with VW's automatic dual clutch transmission (DSG). I'm sure you're not that interested in the technical workings of the sytem, but suffice it to say that it allows for split-second changes due to a two-clutch system which prepares one for change while the other is engaged. We tested it first in the 3.2-litre Audi TT and since then it has worked its way into the Seat Altea and now the Passat.
The only problem with the Passat may be that the prices are not yet published, and you normally have to bring a hefty wallet to the table when picking up the extras on a VW. Yet for all that, the car is arriving into Ireland in the next eight weeks and it may be worth the wait.
Send your queries to:
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie